House OKs record amount
for isle military construction

By Pete Pichaske
Phillips News Service

WASHINGTON -- The House this week approved a military spending bill that includes a record $228 million in military construction in Hawaii, as well as a long-planned Navy development on Ford Island expected to cost another $500 million over the next 12 years.

Among the construction projects are 100 family housing units at Kaneohe Marine Base, 229 family housing units at Pearl Harbor and continued barracks renovations at Schofield Barracks.

The bill also includes money to develop a diabetes treatment procedure at Tripler Army Medical Center.

Rep. Neil Abercrombie, D-Honolulu, a member of the House Armed Services Committee, called the military spending projects "terrific news for Hawaii. ... Our economy needs federal investment."

The spending bill already has been approved by Senate-House negotiators. Final Senate approval is expected next week.

Some lawmakers are concerned that President Clinton might veto the bill over a provision reorganizing the country's nuclear weapons program, a response to reports of lax security.